I don't think it's setting them back- why do you? Sometimes shelters with food are closed, full, only accept certain people, only certain hours, may be dry shelters... each social worker is given approx 10? People per month- maybe 20- there are not enough subsidized homes- the waiting list is like 5 yrs long... but a sandwich isn't sustainable, I'll give you that.

People are so fucked. Everyone's like "oh, it's mental health issues"- but it's not like that. When you have nothing left, have been being treated like shit your whole life, have all of your possessions on your back, have no money, are starved and tired and dirty and hopeless... the only choices you have each day come down to where will you go and what you will eat. We all need to feel like we have control over something. Food can be one of those things. Don't judge so easily.